It is the end of the week.
How are you all feeling? Was it a good week? Anything interesting happen?
This is my first few days in Boston…not going to lie, it has been a little bit of an adjustment, but I won’t bore you with the details (yet).
For this week’s edition of Health and Beauty Benefits I am giving you all the inside scoop to SESAME SEEDS.
Sesame seeds are the oldest condiment known to mankind. Their flavor is slightly nutty and fragrant, depending on the variety.
Sesame seeds include a combination of vitamins and minerals and are one of the healthiest foods in the world.
So what exactly are sesame seeds?
The Sesame is derived from a flowering plant belonging to the Pedaliaceae family. These seeds found in its plant have the highest oil content among all seeds and have a very delicate, nutty flavor that becomes more pronounced when they are roasted.
There are several varieties of sesame seeds with these as the most popular:
White sesame seeds: high in iron content are mostly used in food or oil.
Black sesame seeds: very flavorful and have an extremely strong aroma and is most often used in medicines.
Sesame seed oil is a rich source of phytonutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids, flavonoid phenolic antioxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber. Thus the variety of benefits.
Health Benefits of Sesame Seeds:
Boosts Heart Health:
Prevents atherosclerotic lesions with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound known as sesamol.
Relief from Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Sesame seeds contain copper, a mineral that is vital for antioxidant enzyme systems, thus reducing the pain and swelling associated with arthritis.
Protects Liver from Alcohol:
Helps protect alcohol’s impact on the liver by helping to maintain healthy liver function.
Eye Health:
In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a relationship between the liver and eyes. The liver sends blood to the eyes to support functioning. Black sesame seeds are the best for this.
Natural Sunscreen:
Sesame oil is forms a protective film over the skin to eliminate the damages done by free radicals. Since it is packed with vitamin E it can act as an antioxidant.
As a Moisturizer:
Widely used as an active ingredient in many sunscreens, skin cleansers and moisturizers because of its unique ability to soften up skin and hair while keeping it hydrated.
Treats Cracked Heels:
See above. It helps keep feet soft and supple.
Treats Sunburns:
When used after the exposure to the wind or the sun, sesame seed oil can treat suntans. It prevents the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun from damaging your skin, thus preventing the appearance of wrinkles and pigmentation. The regular usage of this oil significantly reduces the risk of skin cancer and prevents the skin from the effects of chlorine in swimming pool water.
Helps Repair Damaged Skin Cells
They are very effective when it comes to repairing of damaged cells by helping to improving blood circulation.
The sesame oil as sunscreen really intrigued me especially because I have vitiligo. I have not tried out this recipe yet…the weather isn’t exactly all sunshine here in Boston, but to all my Cali friends, please try this out and let me know what you think.
¼ cup coconut oil
¼ cup shea butter
1/8 cup sesame or jojoba oil
2 tbsp. beeswax granules
1-2 tbsp. zinc oxide powder (optional)
1 tsp. red raspberry seed oil
20-30 drops carrot seed essential oil
Essential oils of your choice (lavender, rosemary, vanilla, and/or peppermint)
In a double boiler or small pan melt the coconut oil, sesame or jojoba oil, beeswax and shea butter.
After everything has melted together, remove from the heat and allow to cool. Whisk in zinc oxide powder (optional) ensuring that you do not create a lot of dust (you may want to wear a face mask).
Put in fridge for another 15-30 minutes so that it starts to set but doesn’t get too hard (you still want to be able to whip it.)
Once it has started to set but is still fairly soft, take it out and add the raspberry seed oil, carrot seed essential oil and any other essential oils and mix with a stand mixer or hand mixer until it appears to be light and fluffy.
Your sunblock is now ready. Store in fridge and apply as necessary.
By creating your own homemade sunscreen you can not only prevent the damage caused by the commercially available brands but can also add ingredients that will have beneficial, healing properties on your skin. This easy to make sunscreen has emollient, antiseptic, antioxidant and anti-fungal properties apart from its sun protection factor and you can add more based on your choice of essential oils.
Have a fab weekend!
Xx K
19 comments
I’ve heard about the benefits of other seeds such ad flax seed. Nice to know about other options and there benefits
WOW, I had no idea sesame seeds could be used for so many different things! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Wow! Who knew! I have had some sesame oil sitting in my cabinet for months, I could use it as sun screen. Crazy! Thanks for sharing!
It is crazy! Although I wouldn’t use the oil as sunscreen you might burn!
Wow, I didn’t know sesame seeds packed this much of a punch! Thanks for sharing all these facts!
i had NO IDEA sesame seeds were so good for you! thank you so much for sharing!
xoxo
Victoria
http://www.agallonofglitter.com
I seriously love love love your posts. You come up with all the best ways to use these superfoods. I have a TON of sesame seeds so I can’t wait to whip some of these up!! xx Shannon
http://champagneatshannons.com
Shannon, thank you so much! There are so many recipes you can try out 🙂
This is awesome! Currently on Whole30 and pretty sure i can have sesame seeds and now i’m dying to try all of these recipes!!!
Julie | https://scorseofstyles.com
Yes! I think you can too! Enjoy!
Wow I never knew sesame seeds were so beneficial. Love the sunblock tip.
http://thevagabondwayfarer.com/2017/03/31/stripes-for-spring/
I actually really like sesame seeds & actually had no idea they had any health benefits!
Wow, you are a wealth of information! I look forward to meeting you one day so we can CHAT! Thank you so much for providing this post about the very small sesame seeds! I had no idea!?!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
I love eating sesame seed, but I didn’t know they were healthy too. I will be adding them to more recipes now. Thanks.
I had no idea that sesame seeds had so many great health benefits. Maybe I can start adding them to some foods we already eat.
Yes! You can! They add a great pop and crunch texture to dishes.
This is so informative! I recently started using sesame oil to cook with because my doctor recommended it, but it’s great to know why!!
Neelofar
http://www.theloveliestlily.com
Wow! What a treasure those little sesame seeds are haha! I’ll never look at them the same 😀
Hahaha, spices and herbs do so many things!